Whipped Ricotta Recipe (2024)

Published: by Briana · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

This Creamy Whipped Ricotta is an easy recipe made with simple ingredients. It's one of our favorite appetizers to serve with crispy baguette slices, crostini, or pita chips. It's a delicious addition to a charcuterie board or an antipasto platter. It's ready in 5 minutes or less!

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (1)

Just when we thought creamy ricotta cheese couldn't get any better, we added honey, olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs then food-processed it.

It really does take the ricotta to a whole new level and becomes something silky smooth and luxurious. This totally irresistible ricotta will become a go-to!

Be sure to check out these marinated mozzarella balls, our tuna mousse appetizer, and this Italian antipasto platter!

Jump to:
  • ❤️Why we love this recipe
  • 🍋Ingredients
  • 🔪Prep work
  • 📋Instructions
  • ✨Top tips
  • 💭Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Recipes To Consider
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Community

❤️Why we love this recipe

  • Elevates ricotta cheese - This recipe takes ricotta to new heights, where it becomes a delicious appetizer or snack with crusty bread and confit cherry tomatoes or even fresh fruit, a part of a quick lunch or healthy breakfast. Turning ricotta into a creamy dip is probably the best way we can think of to enjoy it.
  • Quick and easy - You really only need about 5 minutes to make this yummy recipe, which is always great when hosting gatherings or attending them!
  • Made with simple ingredients - You can find all the ingredients for this recipe at all the local grocery stores if you don't already have them on hand.
  • Suitable for gluten free, low carb, and vegetarian diets - This recipe naturally suits multiple diet types, making it great to serve guests.

🍋Ingredients

Here are the ingredients we used for this recipe. You can find more information for substitutions below.

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (2)
  • Whole milk ricotta
  • Lemon juice & fresh lemon zest
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt & black pepper
  • Honey - To taste.
  • Fresh thyme - Optional, but delicious.

Visit the recipe card for the full quantities and nutritional information.

✨Substitutions & variations

Here are a few suggestions on additional flavors to try, or simple variations to this recipe.

  • Sweet whipped ricotta - Omit some of the salt, the pepper, and add more honey to create a sweet honey-whipped ricotta.
  • Herbed - Add more herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, and/or fresh mint for a lovely herbaceous flavor.
  • Swap the citrus - Swap lemon for orange zest and juice for a sweeter taste.
  • Spicy - Add red chili flakes, hot honey, or some Calabrian chili paste (affiliate link) for a spicy and creamy spread.
  • Add garlic - Add fresh minced garlic or roasted garlic for a delicious garlicky flavor.
  • Add pesto - This delicious walnut pesto would mix wonderfully into this dish.

🔪Prep work

  • Allow the ricotta to sit out at room temperature for 15-20 minutes so that it blends up nicely.
  • Juice and zest 1 lemon.
  • Prep thyme (if using) by removing the leaves from the stems.
  • Measure out all remaining ingredients.

📋Instructions

Add ricotta to a food processor, and add lemon zest. (Image 1) Add honey. (Image 2)

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (3)
Whipped Ricotta Recipe (4)

Add salt to taste, (Image 3) followed by olive oil, black pepper, and fresh thyme. (Image 4)

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (5)
Whipped Ricotta Recipe (6)

Add fresh lemon juice, (Image 5) and food process until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste, and food process again if anything is added. (Image 6)

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (7)
Whipped Ricotta Recipe (8)

Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with a drizzle of honey, lemon zest, fresh thyme, flaky sea salt, and black pepper. Serve with pieces of French baguettes or other fresh bread, crostinis, fresh vegetables, fruit, or your favorite crackers. Enjoy!

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (9)

✨Top tips

  • Sweeten and season to taste. Add honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Start by adding less, then add more to suit your tastes.

Need supplies?Shop ourAmazon store!Stock your pantry, and find all of our favorite kitchen tools! A Full Living LLC earns a small commission through purchases on our storefront to help support this site.

💭Frequently Asked Questions

How to store the leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Do not freeze.

Can I make this recipe without a food processor?

Yes! There are numerous ways to make this whipped ricotta. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment on medium speed.

Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy, and no graininess of the ricotta remains.

How to make crostini:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Add slices of bread to a baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until the bread is golden brown and crispy.

You can also make crostini on the stovetop by adding olive to a skillet and grilling bread over medium heat until golden brown.

More Recipes To Consider

  • Fall Charcuterie Board
  • Grinder Sandwich (Viral TikTok Spicy Italian Sub)
  • Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe
  • Italian Antipasto Platter

Did you try this recipe? Make sure to leave a 5-star review below! 🌟 This helps other readers find our recipes and encourages them to try them. Also, be sure to leave a comment with your experience. Follow along, and tag @AFullLiving on Instagram with your photos!

📖 Recipe

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (14)

Whipped Ricotta

Briana

This Whipped Ricotta Recipe is the perfect quick appetizer. It's ready in 5 minutes or less and is made with pantry staples. This versatile spread is the perfect way to accompany a charcuterie board, an antipasto platter, or just a piece of toast, fruit, or crackers!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 146 kcal

Equipment

  • food processor, hand mixer, or stand mixer

  • Rubber Spatula

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces whole milk ricotta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ - 1 lemon juice and zest (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)
  • honey, olive oil, and flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a food processor, a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or to a large bowl and mix on medium speed until combined. Adjust seasonings to taste, and blend again until creamy and smooth.

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.

Notes

  • Adjust seasonings to taste, along with honey and lemon juice.
  • Feel free to season with your favorite herbs and spices, like mint, basil, parsley, or rosemary.
  • For a spicy kick, add hot honey, and red pepper flakes.
  • Add roasted or raw minced garlic for a garlicky punch.
  • Orange juice and zest can be used in place of lemon juice and zest.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 193mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 265IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 0.3mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @AFullLiving on social!

« Maple Latte

Marinated Mozzarella Balls Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Whipped Ricotta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my whipped ricotta so runny? ›

Runny ricotta can occur for a couple of reasons: 1) Your ricotta was already watery to begin with. If this is the case, I recommend straining the cheese over a cheesecloth before whipping it up. 2) You added too much liquid (either from the olive oil or heavy cream).

What is whipped ricotta made of? ›

All you need is a food processor and it'll come together in five minutes. Add the whole milk ricotta, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and sea salt to the food processor and blend until completely smooth and fluffy. Feel free to add as much or as little honey, olive oil, and salt to your taste.

Why is my whipped ricotta grainy? ›

While ricotta is already creamy, it has an almost grainy and slightly crumbly texture — this must be smoothed out. Incorporating full-fat dairy, like heavy cream, will add richness to the cheese and create a lusciously sleek texture.

Is cream cheese just whipped ricotta? ›

Cream cheese: Cream cheese is made with milk and cream, while ricotta is made with just milk. The lower fat content makes the latter cheese slightly less creamy. However, cream cheese can still be substituted for ricotta.

How do you fix runny ricotta cheese? ›

Hang your ricotta or leave sitting in a strainer with a weight overnight. This will get rid of all the excess liquid allowing you to mix through whatever flavouring you want and then fill.

How do you thicken whipped topping? ›

Dissolve a small amount of gelatin or cornstarch in a liquid (water or milk) and heat it gently until it thickens. Allow it to cool before adding it to the whipped cream while it is still soft peaks. Beat the cream until stiff peaks form.

What's the difference between whipped ricotta and regular ricotta? ›

Whipped ricotta has a lighter, fluffier texture and a milder flavor compared to regular ricotta. How is whipped ricotta used in cooking? Whipped ricotta can be used as a spread for toast, crackers, or sandwiches. It can also be used as a topping for bruschetta, pizza, or pasta dishes.

Why add egg to ricotta? ›

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Can you freeze whipped ricotta? ›

Leftover whipped ricotta should be sealed in an airtight container and refrigerated. Use within 3 days. The dip will benefit from sitting at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. We do not recommend freezing, as the texture will be affected.

Is whipped cottage cheese the same as ricotta? ›

Whipped cottage cheese has a milder flavor than ricotta cheese. Ricotta cheese has a light, slightly sweet flavor, while cottage cheese tends to be a little saltier. Can I use whipped cottage cheese instead of ricotta? Yes, you can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in most dishes in a 1:1 ratio.

Why is my homemade ricotta rubbery? ›

It really matters what kind of dairy you use: organic whole milk and not ultra-pasteurized cream are preferred. I also want to emphasize the importance of timing: do not overheat the milk-cream mixture, and do not let it boil. Otherwise, you will end up with tough and rubbery curd.

Is grainy ricotta safe to eat? ›

As for texture, chalky, grainy ricottas are a sign that the milk was heated too hot or agitated too much during production, causing the proteins to tighten up into rubbery bundles. There should be a slight graininess to the texture, but the grains should be composed of soft, creamy curds, not little rubber balls.

Can you substitute heavy whipping cream with ricotta cheese? ›

It's an ideal substitute for cream or whole milk in a cream sauce. George Carlberg, executive chef at Littleton Adventist Hospital, uses the ricotta sauce to turn chicken and pasta into a one-dish meal. In this recipe he uses ricotta, because “it gives the palate the feel of heavy cream but reduces the fat.”

Can you substitute whipped cream cheese for ricotta? ›

You can use cream cheese instead of ricotta in savory and sweet dishes. It is thicker and has a tangier flavor than ricotta, so be mindful of how that can affect the other ingredients in your recipe.

Can I use sour cream instead of ricotta? ›

Sour cream: The textures are obviously quite different. But, in a pinch, sour cream can pass as a ricotta alternative in a dish where cheese isn't the star of the show. If you're looking for a sub for lasagna, though, reach for cottage or goat cheese instead.

Why is my ricotta not thickening? ›

If there isn't enough acid, the cream won't thicken to form curds. If yours is not thickening and changing to form curds after 10-15 minutes, add another tablespoon of lemon juice, give it a quick stir, and wait another 10-15 minutes. Repeat until it works.

How do you thicken ricotta filling? ›

The best way to get thick cannoli cream is to drain the ricotta but if your cream is still too thin, you can try a bit of cornstarch to the mixture and mix it well. Add the cornstarch one teaspoon at a time until you get the texture that you are looking for.

How do you thicken ricotta cheese? ›

Yet another way is to add a thickener such as cornstarch or arrowroot starch. Start with 2-3 teaspoons and allow it to stand for 15-20 minutes. How do you make store bought ricotta taste better? Ricotta is a mild tasting fresh cheese, so it readily takes on whatever flavors you want to add to it.

Why did my whipped cream turn runny? ›

Whipped cream is extremely sensitive to temperature, and as Leaf tells us, this can heavily affect whether it turns out too runny. The secret trick to fix or prevent this is gelatin, which can help stabilize the cream in hotter climates.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6126

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.